Cam Wolf is the Senior Style Writer at GQ, where he launched GQ’s dedicated watch newsletter, “Box + Papers” to chronicle the world’s most exciting watches and watch trends, along with the new GQ Watches Instragram account. Prior to joining GQ, Wolf was the Menswear Editor at Racked and the Style News Editor at Complex.

In Bezel's exclusive interview, we sit down with the Los Angeles-based watch world authority to explore his introduction to the world of watches, his love for the community, plus the most prized watch in his personal collection.

In Conversation with Cam Wolf

Bezel: How did you get into watches? 

CW: My initiation into the watch world was the sale of Paul Newman’s "Paul Newman" Rolex Daytona in 2018. Through reporting that story, I got to meet and chat with so many of the industry’s prominent players, and really found the people, the watches, and the stories behind these pieces endlessly fascinating. The community was so welcoming and willing to share their passions, and that’s what really drew me in and continues to drive much of my interest and work today.

Bezel: Were you at all intimidated by the space before being welcomed into the fold so amiably? 

CW: Honestly, I was just really excited to jump into the space and immerse myself in it. 

‍

Bezel: What was your first watch and what’s the story behind it? 

CW: My first watch was a Flik Flak with a shark on it that I still have to this day, but the first really important timepiece I got was a gift from my family when I got my job at GQ.  They wanted me to have a nice watch for my swanky new job. They chose this elegant, black dial Tissot, and I remember getting misty-eyed in my parents’ kitchen when they gave it to me.

It symbolized all the work I’d put in to reach that place and achieve this dream of mine. It’s funny because I didn’t consciously think of watches as markers of important milestones at the time, but it seems my family understood that and, based on my reaction, I did, too.

‍

Bezel: That’s a piece you’ll have to hold onto tightly. What’s been your favorite watch scoop / story covered to date at GQ?

CW: That’s a great question. The watch world is full of so many interesting people and stories. I’m really happy I got Max Büsser into a GQ print issue this year. In early 2020, I wrote about a man who specializes in tracking down stolen watches, which has become an increasingly big topic in watches. 

Bezel: What’s your favorite watch in your collection and why?  

CW: It’s really hard to choose between two very different watches: an early 90s Cartier Tank Louis Cartier and the new Tudor Pelagos 39. The former has long been my grail watch. To me, it’s a timeless design that's still unique because of its square shape. I wear it with everything and think it really shines dressed down with just a T-shirt. I got it from my friend Eric Wind, who had it engraved on the caseback with my name. 

The Pelagos came into my life shortly after the birth of my son, Otis, and in my head, I’ve already set aside the watch for him. He seems to innately understand this somehow. I’m a naturally sappy person, so it’s easy for me to ride this flow. The other day I was putting him down for bed, and he grabbed my arm and said, “watch.” I unbuckled it from my wrist and let him sleep with it in his crib. That’s the good thing about a titanium sports watch—I don’t have to worry about him following his 21-month-old instincts and clanging it around.

Bezel: Where do you take your collection from here? What’s next on your horological hit list?  

CW: When I started collecting, I was very much into small, really light watches. As I’ve gotten to try a lot on and just be exposed to more over the past couple of years I can feel myself gravitating towards more substantial pieces. I’d really love to have an all-gold or platinum Rolex Day-Date in the rotation. 

Bezel: Can you share a few must-have-have watches listed on Bezel right now?

CW: Definitely.

‍

Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse Ref. 5738P-001

A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up / Down Ref. 405.035

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante Ref. PFC905-1020001-100182

MB&F M.A.D. 1 RED

Rolex Day-Date 40 Ref. 228236-0005

Bezel: Why do you continue to enjoy collecting watches? 

CW: It’s the cheesiest possible answer, but I genuinely enjoy being a part of the community. The best part of writing and reporting, for me, has always been interacting with people who are really enthusiastic about what they do. My job is to literally bother them with questions about what they love, the thing they’re excited about, or the topic they have an enormous amount of expertise in. So, in that way, I’m always learning about new watches, new watchmakers, and the stories behind these people and pieces.

‍

Have someone in mind that you'd like to see featured?  Interested in submitting a story of your own?

Reach out to us at editorial@getbezel.com.

- Isaac Wingold

‍